EXC 2121:  Quantum Universe

• Subject Area: Particles, Nuclei and Fields ; Astrophysics and Astronomy ; Mathematics ; Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2019
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 390833306

The discovery of a Higgs boson and the first direct detection of gravitational waves are among the most spectacular recent successes in science. They support two fundamental concepts in physics, the generation of mass of elementary particles and the dynamics of spacetime. In addition, they open new windows to a deeper understanding of these concepts at the quantum level. Furthermore, astronomical observations show that the current description of nature is incomplete. This concerns the nature of dark matter, which provides most of the mass in the universe, the absence of antimatter in the cosmos, the origin of the accelerated expansion of the universe today, and of the rapidly expanding phase shortly after the Big Bang. All these issues are related to particle physics in the early universe, but so far have no consistent explanation within a quantum theory including gravity. Therefore, the understanding of mass and gravity at the interface between quantum physics and cosmology is the research objective of this Quantum Universe cluster.We will address this objective from four particularly promising scientific directions: (i) exploration of the Higgs sector and its cosmological implications, (ii) search for interactions of dark matter particles in the laboratory and the cosmos, (iii) development of new techniques for gravitational wave observation and exploitation of gravitational waves in cosmology and astrophysics, and (iv) making advances in corresponding quantum theories for matter and gravity. Each of these topics promises major scientific breakthroughs over the next decade. Exploiting their deep interconnections in an integrated approach as proposed here will lead to a better understanding of nature at its most fundamental level.The research team of the Quantum Universe cluster includes leading scientists from mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. This unique collaboration between Universität Hamburg and the Helmholtz Center DESY is highly regarded internationally and fosters an inspiring intellectual atmosphere for research, education, and innovation.

• DFG Programme: Clusters of Excellence (ExStra)
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Participating Institution: Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
• Spokespersons: Professorin Dr. Erika Garutti, since 7/2022; Professor Dr. Jan Louis, until 6/2022; Professor Dr. Peter Schleper, until 6/2022; Professorin Dr. Geraldine Servant; Professor Dr. Timo Weigand, since 7/2022
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Gleb Arutyunov; Professor Marcus Brüggen, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Vicente Cortés; Professorin Dr. Elisabetta Gallo; Professor Dr. Christophe Grojean; Professor Dr. Florian Grüner; Professor Dr. Johannes Haller; Professorin Dr. Beate Heinemann; Professor Dr. Dieter Horns; Professor Dr. Bernd A. Kniehl; Professor Dr. Jochen Liske; Professorin Dr. Gudrid Moortgat-Pick; Professor Dr. Andreas Ringwald; Professor Dr. Roman Schnabel; Professor Dr. Christoph Schweigert; Professor Dr. Bernd Siebert; Professor Dr. Günter Sigl; Professorin Kerstin Tackmann, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Jörg Teschner; Professor Dr. Georg Weiglein; Dr. Alexander Westphal